Turning Pain into Purpose
Tragedy and hard times come to us all, but few families have been hit as hard as the Nitkey family. Against overwhelming odds, Lyme disease has deeply impacted every member of this faith-filled, resilient household.
After exhausting their own resources in pursuit of answers, the Nitkeys found help and healing through the support of the Sisters Lyme Aide Foundation and now dedicate themselves to giving back. They openly share the latest treatment advancements and connect other families to SLA, which offers financial assistance for essential Lyme treatments not covered by insurance.
The Nitkeys are profoundly grateful to the friends—and friends of friends—who stood by them during their darkest hours. They believe the work of the Sisters Lyme Aide Board is not only exceptional, but life-changing.
Lyme disease is the most widespread vector-borne illness in the world—causing profound suffering and, in some cases, even death. The Nitkey family knows this reality all too well. Your generosity brings hope, healing, and renewed strength to families like the Nitkeys—and to countless others still fighting this relentless disease.
The Sisters and Granddaughter
Sarah: Thriving After Life-Saving Lyme Treatment Abroad
After undergoing life-saving Hyperthermia and Plasmapheresis treatments in Germany, Sarah is now attending school full-time and looks forward to graduating in June 2025. Her recovery took time, as Lyme had severely impacted multiple organs and systems.
Sarah is deeply grateful to everyone who supported her when her family had exhausted all resources seeking answers. Your generosity helped give her a second chance at life.
Hannah: A Mother Fighting Lyme with Strength and Grace
Hannah is a devoted wife and full-time mother to three young children. While caring for her family, she is also courageously battling the debilitating effects of Lyme disease.
Her symptoms are severe and wide-ranging, including Dysautonomia—an autonomic nervous system disorder that causes heart palpitations (arrhythmia), shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue. She also suffers from intense nerve pain similar to fibromyalgia, as well as ongoing gastrointestinal challenges.
Despite these daily struggles, Hannah continues to fight for her health and her family. Sisters Lyme Aide is honored to support her on this journey by helping provide the resources and care she needs.
Eissabella (aka Bella): A Brave Young Girl Battling Lyme Disease
Bella is a kind-hearted 12-year-old navigating the hardships of Lyme disease at a stage in life that should be filled with carefree moments and play.
Her symptoms include brain inflammation that affects cognitive function and memory, making learning and daily tasks more difficult. Bella also suffers from Dysautonomia, which impacts her autonomic nervous system and makes physical activity—something most children enjoy—extremely taxing. Simple exertion can lead to shortness of breath and irregular heart rate. In addition, she experiences unpredictable nerve pain and persistent fatigue that limits her ability to fully engage in everyday life.
Many Lyme specialists believe the disease can be passed in utero, as is suspected in Bella’s case—a pattern seen in numerous affected families.
Through the support of Sisters Lyme Aide, Bella and her family are not alone in this journey. We are committed to helping them access the care and support they need to restore hope and healing.
The Parents
Parents, John and Kelly, have been amazing and courageous throughout the entire ordeal. Endless hours of research, medical consultations, travel to doctors all over the country, night time vigils, and emotional and physical support for the girls has been absolutely exhausting, but they persevere. As parents they never imagined being in the place where they have to reach out to others for help to get their daughters the life-saving treatment they so desperately need to once again live a normal life as a family.